The Indo-Australian Plate is primarily characterized by divergent and convergent boundaries. These boundaries play a crucial role in shaping the Earth’s surface and are responsible for various geological activities.
Divergent Boundary
On the western side, the Indo-Australian Plate is moving away from the African Plate. This movement creates a divergent boundary, where new crust is formed as magma rises from the mantle and solidifies. This process is responsible for the formation of mid-ocean ridges.
Convergent Boundary
On the eastern side, the Indo-Australian Plate is colliding with the Eurasian Plate. This collision forms a convergent boundary, where the denser oceanic crust of the Indo-Australian Plate is subducted beneath the less dense continental crust of the Eurasian Plate. This subduction zone is responsible for the formation of mountain ranges, such as the Himalayas, and is associated with significant seismic activity, including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
In summary, the Indo-Australian Plate exhibits both divergent and convergent boundaries, each contributing to the dynamic geological processes that shape our planet.